The first-ever meeting of top federal officials, Congressional delegates and territorial governors was held Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
The meeting ofthe Interagency Group on Insular Areas included Gov. Charles Turnbull, Delegate Donna Christen Christensen and other territorial representatives was aimed at giving the federal government guidance on policy concerning Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"Today's meeting . . . with members of the Interagency Group On Insular Affairs was a important step which will result in issue resolution and will dramatically increased the level of participation in federal programs by U.S. territories," Office of Insular Affairs Director Danny Aranza said.
V.I. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen said that several issues of importance to the Virgin Islands and the other insular areas may have a resolution in progress as soon as the end of the month. Aranza said the IGIA process culminated in at least 15 "short-term wins" that he described as federal-island partnerships.
Christensen said that John Berry, co-chair of the IGIA and assistant secretary of the Interior, told the group that by the end of March "an inventory of programs" in a detailed response will be brought to the table as the Clinton administration seeks ways to enhance the economies of the four small U.S. territories.
"I am optimistic that this process will result in some meaningful economic development initiatives for the territories," said Christensen.
Among the V.I. issues brought up at the meeting were assistance with the Virgin Islands' wastewater and solid waste problems, inclusion in New Market Initiatives and empowerment zones, inclusion in trade missions, focus on territories as tax treaties are negotiated, FEMA negotiations and grant and technical assistance in various areas, Christensen said.
"If we can come to concrete resolutions of any or all of these issues, it would be a boost for our economy," she said.
The delegate, like other territorial representatives at the meeting, said she was mindful of the 10-month window of opportunity that the Clinton administration has to bring progress to these issues. For that reason, she suggested in her remarks to the group that attention be paid to issues that are regulatory or administrative in nature and may not require funding.
The territory's issues include:
A waiver of the Coast Guard's six-pack rule, which Christensen is also addressing through legislation, according to her legislative assistant Brian Modeste.
A waiver of Department of Agriculture's 10 producer rule, which requires large farms, the likes of which don't exist in the territory, to apply for disaster relief assistance.
The creation of an infrastructure bank under the aegis of the Department of Transportation, state office designation for agencies such as USDA, the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration and the hiring of more local personnel for federal positions, are areas that can enhance the territory's economy without funding, Christensen said.
Also discussed was the apparent confiscation by the U.S. Customs Services of cigarettes purchased in the territory which bear the mark "for export only." Christensen told the group that this interpretation of 1997 federal legislation poses a threat to the duty free status enjoyed by the territory for many years.
